10 as he leads his country at a sixth World Cup. Amstelveen, Lionel Messi’s influence on Argentine sport extends well beyond football and the country’s men’s hockey captain Matias Rey is drawing inspiration from the iconic No.
They won the last World Cup and reached the final again,” Santiago said.
“I am playing my sixth World Cup, like Lionel Messi, and I am in a position to share my experience with the young players and all the things I have learnt,” Rey told PTI. “We like to be as successful as our football team.
Rey, who was part of Argentina’s gold medal-winning team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, said the country’s football success under Messi has reinforced a simple sporting philosophy: never give up. Goalkeeper Tomas Santiago, who has 57 international appearances and featured in Argentina’s last two World Cup campaigns, said the team would have to be fully focused against India.
We learn from them not to give up until the end and keep fighting,” Rey said. We know it will not be easy, but we are ready,” he said. “India is a very strong team and we need to be 120 per cent focused to beat them,” he said.
“Argentina is a football country and they played the World Cup final this year. “India is a really strong team. They have many good players and a good coach, so it will be a tough fight. We are here to compete. Now we have to face two wonderful teams.
